Syringe device



Sept. 28, 1954 N. LEONARD ETAL SYRINGE DEVICE Filed Aug. 30, 1951 I guvmvmxs: %23 2 BY &

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a syringe of the type which is adapted to operate by gravitational flow and it relates more particularly to a device of the type described which may be substantially permanently installed in position of use within a bathroom or the like.

One of the most frequent objections raised against the use of syringe devices of the type described resides in the time and effort required to secure the device, fill the device, and mount the device in position of use and then disassemble and clean the device for return to storage until the need therefor has again arisen. Not infrequently, during these operations, some parts of the device become clogged or worn to the extent that the unit fails to operate in the manner intended or else content material becomes inadvertently spilled or released with the possibility of damaging surrounding articles and, in any event, requires that the substance be cleaned up. Such difficulties and bother incident to the use of devices of the type heretofore employed have created a psychological barrier which militates against willing use of this technique for personal hygiene.

It is an object of this invention to produce a syringe which overcomes the objectionable fea tures characteristic of such units which have heretofore been marketed for use and it is a related object to produce a syringe of the gravitational type capable of remaining in position of use thereby to be constantly and readily available for use Without presenting objectionable appearance.

Another object is to produce a syringe of the type described which, in position of use, presents an attractive appearance and which substantially completely conceals its identity or purpose and which is simple in operation and use.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a perspective elevational view of a syringe device embodying features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 in position of use;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a modification in a syringe device embodying features of this invention.

As shown in the drawing, a syringe device embodying features of this invention comprises a container H) which may be of substantially rectangular shape having side walls I! and [2, a front wall l3 and a rear wall Hi. The container is open at the top "5 and is provided with a cover plate or closure ll adapted to fit over the container to prevent contamination of the content material.

The rear wall l5 of the container ill is provided with openings l8 such as key slots for receiving pins which support the container in position of use on the wall of a bathroom or the like. Although conventional hook members or nails may be employed, it is preferred to make use of elongate pins which seat in the smaller dimensioned key slots it but have heads of larger dimension which permit sliding movement of the container on its support to an extent limited by the heads of the pins for purposes which will hereinafter become evident.

An outlet at is provided adjacent the bottom wall 2! of the container for draining the liquid content material through an elongate flexible tubing 22 having one end fixed thereto while the other end of the tubing is adapted to receive a fitting 23 for cleaning purposes. The rear wall of the container is provided with an elongate recess portion 2 in alignment with the outlet 20 and having a groove 25 in the upper edge thereof which enables the tubing to rise upwardly and drape thereover to dispose the extra length thereof in the interior of the container which enables complete concealment thereof while still permitting the cover ll to remain in place and the container to be positioned substantially flush against the wall when in position of use.

The front wall I3 may be provided with a suitable plaque 25, painting 2'! or other decorative element thereby not only substantially to conceal the identity of the syringe but to impart attractiveness to the device when in position of use.

In use, the container may be shifted forwardly on its support to provide access to the tubing in a manner to permit displacement of the tubing from the interior and along the back Wall of the container so as to make its full length available for use. The container may be filled with the desirable fluid before or after the tubing is removed. In the event that it is desired, the fitting 23 may be removed from the end of the tubing and connected to a faucet or the like for filling the container to the desired level and then the fitting reinserted for use.

By way of further modification, a clamping member 28 may be provided in the length of tubing to prevent inadvertent drainage of the fluid while the container is being filled or while the tubing is being displaced for use. For most complete drainage, stops 29 may be provided in the rear wall adjacent the bottom of the container whereby the container is caused to be inclined rearwardly at a slight angle towards the outlet when in position of use.

When use thereof has been completed, the tubing 'may'be returned toits original position along the recess 24 with the end portion being disposed Within the container and then the cover I! replaced to prevent collection of dirt orrcontamination of the interior. While the tubing is thus draped over the top no drainage from thecontainer can take place.

In the event that the decorative element 26 or 2! on the front wall of the container is of larger dimension than said wall or extends downwardly thereof .by 'an amount sufficient to conceal the underside of the container, the outlet :20 and tubing connection may be arranged in the .bottom wall for still more complete drainage but, in vany 'event, when in position of non-use the tubing is :adapted to pass upwardly through a recess in-an aligned .portionof the rear wall and into the interior in a manner completely to be concealed from view.

It will'be understood that instead of having a rectangular container as shown in Figure 1, the container may have other geometric shape such as .the elliptical or semi-circular member illustrated in Figure 4 or the like, and that other changes maybe made in the details of construction, arrangement and mounting Without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as :defined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A syringe of the gravitational flow type, comprising a container having a substantially continuous flat rear wall, a bottom wall, and .front and side wall means, said rear wall hav- ..ing an inwardly formedportion defining a substantially vertical groove in said rear wall, an outlet opening extending through said inwardv ly formed portion of said rear wall adjacent said bottom wall, said groove extending upwardly .fromsaid opening to the upper edge of said container, a notch in said inwardly formed portion of said rear wall at the upper end of said groove, a hose having one end connected to said container and in communication with said outlet opening and adapted to extend upwardly through said groove and inwardly through said notch into said container for storage therein, and a removable cover fitting on the upper end of said container, said rear wall having means for hanging said container on 'a fiat vertical Supporting surface with said rear wall closely adjacent the suppoming surface.

2. A syringe of the gravitational flow type, comprising a container having a substantially continuous fiat rear wall, a bottom wall, and

front-and side' wall means, said rear wall having an inwardly .formed channel portion defining a substantially vertical, elongated recess in said rear wall adjacent one edge thereof, an outlet opening extending through said channel portion of saidrear wall adjacent said bottom wall, said recess extending iupwardlyfrom said .opening to the upper edge of said container, a notch in said channelportion of said rear wall at the upper end of said :recess, a hose having one end connected to said container and in communication with said-outlet-opening and adapted .to extend upwardly through said recess .and inwardly through said notch into said container for storage therein, a removable-cover fittinglon the upper end of saidcontainer, said rear wall having slot means formed therein for hanging said container on a fiat, verticalsupporting surface with said .rear wall adjacent the supporting surface, and bumper-means projecting rearwardly on said.

rear wall adjacent said bottom wall for engaging the supporting surface and thereby tilting said container to facilitate gravitational drainage through said outlet opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

